Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Total Time: 3 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients

• 1 cup finely minced celery
• 1 cup finely minced onion
• 1 cup finely minced carrot
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup garbanzo beans
• 1/2 cup kidney bean
• 1/2 cup dried whole peas
• 1/2 cup pea beans
• 3/4 cup sliced carrot
• 3/4 cup coarsely chopped onion
• 3/4 cup sliced celery
• 3/4 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/2 cup rice or 1/2 cup barley
• 1 cup shell macaroni
• 2 tablespoons minced parsley
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• pepper
• parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 slowly saute finely minced onion, celery and carrot in butter until very brown.
• 2 add peas and beans and about 3 quarts of water.
• 3 cook slowly until beans are almost done (check garbanzos- they will take the longest) about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
• 4 add the remaining vegetables, rice and spices and more water if necessary and cook another hour.
• 5 about 20 minutes before serving time add the macaroni and more water if needed.
• 6 ladle into bowls and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
• 7 serve with crusty garlic bread.